Two powerful earthquakes, taking the lives of over 47,000 people, struck southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border on Monday, February 6, 2023. The first quake, with a 7.8 magnitude, was centered near the city of Gaziantep, and the second quake hours later, with a magnitude of 7.5, hit Turkey’s Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras province. More than 40 aftershocks, including the one in Kahramanmaras, have occurred since the first quake. Two more earthquakes occurred on February 20, 2023. Collapsed buildings have resulted in thousands of deaths and search and rescue efforts continue, although 4 weeks after the earthquakes the outcomes look bleak. Over 26 million were affected by the earthquakes, and an estimated 1 million people in Turkey alone have been displaced or are living outdoors or in congregant areas. As many as 5.3 million people living in Syria may have been displaced. Waterborne illnesses, exposure to cold, lack of power and strained health systems all further threaten life in the region. Financial donations are most needed at present. Lutheran Church Charities, (a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS), are actively engaged in responding directly to this particular humanitarian crisis.
Other highly rated organizations providing relief and recovery in the wake of the earthquakes as evaluated by Charity Navigator include: Red Cross Doctors without Borders Direct Relief